Method and apparatus for the secure delivery of goods

ABSTRACT

When an order for goods ( 18 ) is placed via the Internet ( 14 ) for later delivery, a supplier ( 16 ) provides to a purchaser ( 12 ) via the Internet or other means a consignment unlock barcode; the purchaser prints out a copy of the consignment unlock barcode and the supplier attaches a copy ( 20 ) of a related unlock barcode to the goods ( 18 ). At the purchaser&#39;s premises is a secure container ( 22 ) with an electronic lock ( 32 ) and an external barcode reader ( 36 ). The purchaser programs the lock, by means of an exclusive master code and the supplier-generated consignment delivery code, to open when presented with the related unlock code. When a delivery driver presents the barcode ( 20 ) on the goods ( 18 ) to the reader ( 36 ), a control circuit ( 42 ) causes the electronic lock ( 32 ) to open. A second barcode reader ( 46 ) within the container ( 22 ) allows an infrared or radio receipt signal to be transmitted to a hand held infrared transceiver ( 52 ) after the securable container has been relocked.

[0001] This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the securetransfer of goods, i.e., to a method by which goods can be delivered topremises and securely stored in the absence of any person to receive thegoods, or collected in the absence of any person.

[0002] A common irritation in today's society is the need for ahouseholder to be present to take delivery of goods when the time ofdelivery is frequently defined over a wide time band. With therapidly-expanding use of the Internet and other distance selling meansto place orders for goods, this situation is likely to occur even morefrequently.

[0003] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,774,053 Porter there is a disclosure of astorage and delivery system in which goods are delivered into orcollected from a storage enclosure having a lock controlled by a keypad;each vendor, such as a laundry business, a fast food outlet and a frozenfood supplier, has a vendor code which is stored in a keypad controller.When a vendor enters a correct vendor code the enclosure is unlocked andgoods can be collected or delivered.

[0004] Disadvantages of such an arrangement may be that a code ismiskeyed so that the enclosure remains locked, and that dishonestpersons can use a valid vendor code to open a container and steal thecontents.

[0005] It is an object of the invention to provide a solution to theproblem.

[0006] According to the invention a method for securely ordering andtaking delivery of goods comprising the steps of:—

[0007] a purchaser placing an order for goods with a supplier;

[0008] characterised by the supplier sending to the purchaser an unlockprogramming code associated with the goods and associating a visiblerepresentation of a related code with the goods;

[0009] the purchaser programming said unlock programming code into aprogrammable code reader means on an electronically lockable containeraccessible by a delivery driver;

[0010] the delivery driver entering the related unlock code on theprogrammable code reader means;

[0011] the programmable code reader means permitting the container to beopened;

[0012] the delivery driver placing the goods in the securable container;and

[0013] the container being once more electronically locked.

[0014] Thus the unlock code provided by the supplier is unique to eachdelivered item, and the risk of miskeying a code is eliminated becausevisible representations of the code are used.

[0015] Preferably the unlock code is a barcode and a copy of a relatedbarcode is attached to the goods or the packaging for the goods. Therelated barcode can be identical to the unlock programming code, or cancontain a different number of digits/elements. Usually the unlockprogramming code will contain more elements than the related code.

[0016] Also according to the invention, a secure container for deliveryor collection of goods comprising a container having an electroniclocking means; characterised by a barcode reader means arranged to readan externally-presented visible barcode; and a control circuitprogrammable to recognize an unlock code, arranged so that onpresentation of said visible barcode to the barcode reader means, theelectronic lock permits the container to be opened.

[0017] The invention will be described by way of example only withreference to the accompanying drawings in which:—

[0018]FIG. 1 illustrates schematically the process for making a securedelivery of goods;

[0019]FIG. 2 illustrates schematically a secure container according tothe invention; and

[0020]FIG. 3 illustrates schematically a process for securely returningfaulty goods.

[0021] In the purchase and secure delivery system 10 of FIG. 1, apurchaser 12 sends an enquiry E via the Internet 14 to a supplier 16.The supplier returns an offer O via the Internet and the purchaser sendsan acceptance A via the Internet, thus a legal contract is made.

[0022] The supplier 16 creates an individual code for the goods to besupplied, conveniently in the form of a barcode, which will be referredto in this specification as an unlock code. A physical representation ofthe barcode 20 is attached to the goods 18 or their packaging, and willin this example be referred to as a driver unlock code. The supplier 16sends an order acknowledgement or token T over the Internet 14 to thepurchaser 12, the token T also containing a copy of the barcode, whichwill be referred to as a consignment unlock code. The purchaser 12prints out a copy of this barcode by standard printing means.

[0023] The purchaser 12 has available an externally accessible container22 which has electronically lockable means, as indicated at 24. Thecontainer has external and internal barcode readers (not shown inFIG. 1) and a control circuit which allows the purchaser 12 to enter theconsignment unlock barcode provided by the supplier 16, e.g. via theexternal barcode reader. The purchaser also has a purchaser master codewhich operates the electronically lockable means, such as a masterbarcode.

[0024] When the goods 18 are to be delivered by a vehicle 26, thesupplier 16 supplies the driver with delivery instructions and goodswith the driver unlock code, the physical representation of the barcode,securely affixed to the goods or the packaging. On arrival, the driverpositions the visible barcode on the goods adjacent to the externalbarcode reader, the driver unlock code is sensed, the electronic lock isreleased, and the container 22 can be opened. The goods 18 are placedinside and the container is once more closed.

[0025] A suitable container is shown schematically in FIG. 2 and has adoor 30 with an electronic bolt 32 controlled by a bolt control circuit34 inside the container 22. Outside the container is a first barcodereader 36 with a reading window 38 and an indicator lamp 40. The barcodereader 36 and the bolt 32 are controlled by a control circuit 42 withinthe container. The circuit 42 also controls a second barcode reader 46on the ceiling of the container (shown dotted). All electricalcomponents are mains powered via a cable 48 which passes to a supplywithin the purchaser's house. There may be a battery back-up supply (notshown). Alternatively the components may be solar powered. In event ofpower failure, default is to locked state but a real physical key wouldallow owner to get inside to retrieve any contents.

[0026] When a delivery is expected, the purchaser 12 prepares thecontainer 22 by presentation of the purchaser master barcode to thereading window 38 of the external barcode reader 36; use of thepurchaser master barcode provides added security. The control circuit 42causes a “ready” indicator to show (e.g. the lamp 40 to light) and thepurchaser 12 then presents the printed-out copy of the consignmentunlock barcode to the reading window 38 of the external barcode reader36. The control circuit 42 indicates that it has received theconsignment unlock code by lighting the indicator lamp 40 for apre-determined time, showing that the lock is programmed and the doorsecurely closed.

[0027] The delivery driver arrives and presents the visible barcode 20attached to the goods or their packaging to the reading window 38. Thebarcode reader 36 reads the barcode which is recognized by the controlcircuit 42 as the driver unlock code; the circuit 42 instructs theelectronic bolt to permit the door to be opened, and the goods areplaced inside the container 22 with the barcode 20 on the upper surfaceof the goods 18. The internal barcode reader 46 now scans the barcode onthe goods as indicated by the arrow S. If the barcode 20 on the goods isnot visible, the lamp 40 is arranged to flash and the driver repositionsthe goods until the lamp stops flashing, then closes the door 30. Whenthe barcode reader 46 can correctly read the barcode 20 on the goods 18,the circuit 42 recognizes it as the driver unlock barcode, and operatesthe electronic bolt 32 to secure the container 22. Optionally a furtherindicator lamp (not shown) is provided to confirm to the driver that thecontainer is properly locked before he departs. The circuit 42 alsosends an infrared signal R which is sensed by a hand-held infraredreceiver 52, in the possession of the delivery driver. The signal R actsas a delivery receipt but of course the goods are still delivered with a“goods nexamined” status. The driver then returns to the supplier 16with the hand held receiver 52, and the delivery receipt is recorded bythe supplier 16.

[0028] The receipt could alternatively be issued into a and-held deviceby a DIN-type connector attached to the circuit 42 or other suitabletransmission means such as radio.

[0029] In a variation, the electronic record of delivery can bedownloaded into the supplier's Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systemand can trigger payment by the purchaser 12. An optional addition wouldbe for the supplier's ERP system to send to the purchaser 12 an email orShort Message Service message to a mobile telephone, confirmingdelivery. This may be convenient if the purchaser 12 is away from thedelivery site for long periods.

[0030] As an additional security measure, the container 22 optionallycontains a pressure pad 54 which can sense the weight of the deliveredgoods which can then be matched to a weight coded within the consignmentunlock barcode. This prevents a dishonest delivery driver from removingthe physical representation 20 on the goods 18 and leaving only thelabel in the container 22.

[0031] At a convenient time, the purchaser 12 uses the purchaser masterbarcode card to open the container 22 and remove the goods.

[0032] The control circuit 42 is arranged to open the electronic bolt 32only once on presentation of the driver unlock code. Thus a dishonestdelivery driver cannot obtain a receipt for the goods, open thecontainer 22 a second time, and remove the goods.

[0033] The consignment unlock barcode sent to the purchaser can beidentical to the driver unlock barcode affixed to the goods, or it cancontain additional elements, for example to indicate the weight of thegoods as explained above. Alternatively there can be code to indicatethat a delivery is expected on a certain day, thus instructing thecontainer to respond to the driver unlock barcode only on that day.

[0034] The consignment unlock barcode supplied to the purchaser can alsobe related to the driver unlock barcode on the goods by application of asimple algorithm for added security; for example Public Key Encryptioncan be used.

[0035]FIG. 3 shows a system for the secure return of faulty or unwanted“on approval” goods. The purchaser 12 sends a return request Q over theInternet 14 to the supplier 16, who sends to the purchaser a returnnumber/token S, including a return consignment unlock barcode, which isprinted out by the purchaser 12 and placed on the goods to be returned56. The goods 56 are placed in a secure container 22 which is programmedwith the unlock code as before. The delivery driver has a copy of thedriver unlock barcode which is used to open the container door, and thegoods 56 are returned to the supplier 16.

[0036] An indicator (e.g. lamp 40) confirms to the driver that the doorhas been properly closed.

[0037] The fact that the container 22 has been opened by use of thecorrect driver unlock code acts as a log for the return of the goods 56.This is the position whether or not the driver leaves a paper receiptfor the goods 56.

[0038] As an alternative to the secure return of faulty or unwantedgoods purchased by a purchaser, the arrangement can be modified (in aminor way easily made by a person skilled in the art) for use for thecollection of goods for service. For example, a householder or officeoccupier requiring laundry or clothes-cleaning or equipment repairservices can arrange for secure pick-up of the goods. The goods can bereturned in the same way as delivery of purchased goods.

[0039] In the embodiment described above the secure container 22 is aseparate container firmly attached to, or built into, the purchaser'shouse or business premises. Alternatively, the secure container can be agarage or shed or the like, fitted with the electronic bolt and controlcircuit etc. The container can be insulated or refrigerated to permitdelivery of frozen goods.

[0040] While the invention has been described with respect to use of acopy of the barcode as a consignment programming code for the container22, alternative methods of programming can be used. For example adigital keypad could be provided on the container 22, and the token Twould then be an alphanumeric code to generate a barcode in the controlcircuit 42; this would be usable if the purchaser did not have access toa printer to print out a programming barcode. The driver would stillbring his driver unlock token as a barcode. The consignment unlockbarcode or other code can be delivered by mail or fax.

[0041] While the embodiment has been described with respect to ordersplaced over the Internet, the invention is equally applicable to ordersplaced by telephone, by fax, in writing, or in person at a supplier'spremises.

[0042] While the embodiment has been described with respect to the useof a barcode and barcode reader for reading the driver's unlock code andthe consignment identity, any form of electronic labelling such as astrip responsive to radio-frequency may be used in conjunction with aproximity detector; the requirement is that the electronic label must beunique to each delivery or returned item.

[0043] In one variation, a mobile telephone can be used to supply a textmessage as an unlock code, and the mobile or a laptop or palm topcomputer having an infrared transponder, can be used to transmit theunlock code to the control circuit 42. Yet another variation is the useof a radio data receiver such as a low-cost radio-paging device builtinto the secure container both to receive the consignment unlock codeand to transmit it to the control circuit 42. Where two-way radio orradio-paging service is available, this can also be used to transmit adelivery receipt to the supplier.

[0044] For additional security, the purchaser's master code should beregeneratable at intervals by use for example of a PC running softwareprotected by a log-in identity and password/Personal IdentificationNumber.

[0045] In the container shown in FIG. 2, as an alternative to theprovision of both internal and external barcode readers, a single readerplus a mirror system to allow reading of an externally presented barcodeand also the barcode attached to the goods within the container may beused.

[0046] While the invention has been described with respect to deliveryat single-occupant premises, it is also applicable to a multi-tenantedbuilding. Each resident could have an individual code, while theexternal access door could be programmed to allow any occupant to allowaccess by the driver to the building on a once-only basis. There couldeither be a separate secure container for each occupant, or a singlecontainer for the whole building if there is a low risk of two or moredeliveries on the same day.

[0047] Alternatively, multiple deliveries to the same container can bemade, with the control circuit 42 having a memory device such as anon-volatile EEPROM to record all the deliveries, and the internalbarcode reader 46 being arranged to ensure that all delivered goods arestill present before a receipt is issued for the latest delivery. As analternative, the receipt for new goods could indicate that a previouslydelivered item was no longer visible to the internal barcode reader 46.

[0048] The invention could also be used to enable out of hours deliveryto commercial premises, affording better utilisation of deliveryresources.

[0049] If the purchaser 12 loses the barcode before the goods 18 aredelivered, or suffers a printer failure, a duplicate could be providedon condition that the purchaser provides security information, such as apostcode, and a Personal Identification Number sent by the supplier 16as part of the order process, plus optionally an order number.

[0050] It is expected that a method according to the invention will beoperated by an overall proprietor servicing a number of supplycompanies; the proprietor will supply each supply company withunlock-code generating software which ensures that each unlock code isunique. Further, the software can be time-limited or usage-limited sothat the proprietor can apply financial control to the supply companies.

1 A method for securely ordering and taking delivery of goods comprisingthe steps of; a purchaser (12) placing an order with a supplier (16);characterised by the supplier sending to the purchaser an unlockprogramming code associated with the goods and associating a visiblerepresentation of a related code (20) with the goods (18); the purchaser(12) programming said unlock programming code into a programmable codereader means (36) on an electronically lockable container (22)accessible by a delivery driver; the delivery driver entering therelated code into the programmable code reader means; the programmablecode reader means permitting the container to be opened; the deliverydriver placing the goods in the lockable container; and the containerbeing once more electronically locked. 2 A method according to claim 1in which an electronically-readable, visible representation (20) of saidrelated code is placed on the goods (18) or the packaging thereof. 3 Amethod according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the unlock programmingand related codes are barcodes and the programmable code reader means isa bar code reader (36). 4 A method according to claim 3 in which afterthe goods (18) have been placed in the container (22), the barcode onthe goods is read again, a comparison is made of the code and the unlockcode, and if a match is found, the container is electronically locked. 5A method according to claim 4 comprising the further step of initiatingtransmission of a receipt message (R) for reception by a portablereceiver external (52) to the container. 6 A method according to anypreceding claim in which the purchaser places an order (A) for goodsover the Internet (14), and the supplier sends the unlock code (T)associated with the goods via the Internet. 7 A method for securepick-up of goods (56) comprising the steps of:— a premises occupier (12)requesting (Q) pick-up of the goods; a service provider (16) sending tothe premises occupier an unlock programming code (S); the premisesoccupier placing the goods in an electronically lockable container (22)accessible by a delivery driver, the container having a programmablecode reader means (36), and programming the container to be unlockableonly on entry of a related unlock code; electronically locking thecontainer; a delivery driver entering said related unlock code into theprogrammable code reader means; the container being electronicallyunlocked; and the delivery driver removing the goods (56) to be pickedup. 8 A secure container for deliveries comprising a container (22)having an electronic lock (32); characterised by barcode reader means(36) arranged to read an externally presented barcode; and a controlcircuit (42) programmable to recognize an unlock code, arranged so thatpresentation of said visible code to the barcode reader means (36)causes the electronic lock (32) to permit the container (22) to beopened. 9 A container according to claim 8 further arranged to read acopy of the unlock barcode secured to the goods or the packaging thereofwhen positioned within the container, the control circuit then causingthe electronic lock (32) to lock the container (22). 10 A containeraccording to claim 8 or claim 9 in which the control circuit (42) isarranged to cause the electronic lock (32) to permit the container (22)to be opened only once on external presentation of the unlock code tothe barcode reader means (36).